Surrogacy is the term used where a woman bears a child for another woman. When you are thinking about surrogacy, it is crucial that you are aware that it can be an emotionally taxing experience. It is beneficial if you have looked into other options such as adoption before you decide that surrogacy is the one for you.
How surrogacy programs work
Many people turn to an agency to coordinate a surrogacy. These institutions essentially act as go-betweens, helping intended parents to find a suitable surrogate, make required arrangements, and get fees, specifically reimbursement for medical expenses, for the surrogate. These agencies also conduct screening on possible surrogates. Screening involves both medical and psychological screening.
Why use a surrogacy agency
Support
Surrogacy is linked with many medical, financial, emotional and legal issues. By working with a surrogacy agency, it is guaranteed that you will have a team of professionals that will be behind you every step of the way. With an agency, referrals to counselors are available as needed. The surrogacy process does not end right after the baby is born. The majority of agencies offer support in the adjustment period, as you welcome your little one into your house.
Screening
Surrogacy agencies carry out screening to find out about the personal and medical backgrounds of both intended parents and surrogate. Medical screening includes testing for sexually transmitted diseases that can be transferred from surrogate to baby and other health issues that that can lower the chance of a healthy pregnancy. Mental health screening is also performed to determine both parties’ preparedness for this significant life event and whether they have realistic expectations. Some also do criminal history and financial background checks.
Convenience
A number of intended parents opt to create their own surrogacy arrangement by looking for a willing surrogate and personally making all the needed travel and medical arrangements. This can be quite daunting, especially because the process already is an emotionally demanding one. While establishments do not coordinate everything, the agency will make most of the required arrangements and also referrals.
Legal knowledge
They are familiar in surrogacy laws and medical standards, a great deal of which change now and again and are different from state to state. Legal services from an in-house or referred lawyer is also readily available when you work with an agency.